Quantum of Solace

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The first touch! The first meal!
Moment one! Words aren’t necessarily the best communication medium here, but a few words are in order…
If you’re wondering what the fuss is all about, it’s just this little business of Royal Caribbean International’s newest ship, Quantum of the Seas, that’s making ‘waves’ literally and figuratively with its unprecedented levels of technology that amps up the vacation experience. Boatloads of bandwidth keep guests connected; easy-to-use systems expand guest choices and simplify schedules; and RFID technology speeds the boarding process. There’s merit in their slogan – ‘For the smoothest trip, sail the Smart Ship’
Thirty minutes after boarding, I found myself in the confines of Jamie Oliver’s Italian restaurant opening. The place is al fresco, the food authentic Italian and sinful. Of Italian bargain. Entrée; salad; pork; cheese; then polenta; zucchini; and pork belly stuffed with vegetables comprised a meal of some substance.
Lunch done, I returned to my ‘stateroom with a view’ if I may call it that. The large bay windows invite constant viewing, but the room itself was supremely comfortable. They have all manner of staterooms and suites, including some with virtual balconies featuring external views. There’s the Royal Family Suite that accommodates eight passengers; the Sky Loft Suitefor four passengers. And there are Junior Suites for four passengers.
I went exploring the ship, and believe me there’s plenty to explore. It’s one big high –tech dining and entertainment complex that’s made for everybody. As is my want, I decided to prowl around without a set itinerary. I found myself standing outside Casino Royale Music Hall and decided to grace the establishment with my presence. Ornate interior and a classy look predominate, but the music wasn’t bad either. The central lounge areas resemble airport shopping areas, with pubs, bars, eateries, cafes, boutiques and shops edging one another. Consider the fact that there are seven hundred and fifty three culinary staff – half the total staff – and you realize just how integral to the cruise experience dining is.
My ‘prowl with a mission’ was temporarily interrupted by what they call the ‘Muster Drill’ – a safety – drill interlude that acquaints guests with various safety nuances onboard. We had to sit around and wait a bit, but the drill itself was short & sweet, not unlike the safety drills on flights.
Kind souls that they are, Royal Caribbean had set out a media cocktails to ‘meet’, ‘greet’ and ‘shoot the breeze’. Midway through, I noticed we’d set sail. It was a moment of history. The first foray of the world’s newest, most tech-savvy ship. What a moment! Well, one just had to have another (celebratory) drink…!
The celebratory mood sort of accompanied me to dinner at The Grande. Half the size of a football field, the fine dining restaurant features a soothing, classy décor with dim lighting, soft music, and an ambience that takes you back to the 1920s. An assortment of appetizers – Prawn Cocktail; Traditional Lobster Bisque; Truffled Wild Mushroom Risotto; was followed by the entrees – Mediterranean Bouillabaisse; Sole Almondine; and Braised Lamb Shank; and desserts – Molten Chocolate Lava Cake; Classic Napoleon; and Red Velvet Cheesecake.
The evening wasn’t quite done. Bringing the curtain down on a classical day was Starwater, ’the show’. Saddled with travel fatigue, I must confess I’d considered ducking ‘Stirwater’ (I was too tired to stir), but am glad I braved it out. The Quantum class of ships advances the cruise experience with the introduction of revolutionary signature venues, and none stands out more than Two70, so named because of its stunning 270-degree panoramic sea and destination views provided by vast, soaring floor-to-ceiling glass walls that span almost three decks high at the stern of the ship, and are a sow-stopping and revolutionary step in ship design. This multi-level venue seamlessly fuses entertainment and technology to create a transformative journey for guests from morning to night.
As the sun sets, Two70 unveils its evening persona, comprised of spectacular, mysterious and unexpected entertainment. The evening’s first stop is the beautiful, dramatic curved bar that serves as a magnificent focal point for Two70. The performances aren’t limited to the stage, but happen all around, mesmerizing audiences through a combination of live performers, aerialists, performance art and breathtaking video. Guests also experience Vistarama, floor-to-ceiling glass walls that display projections of dazzling digital scenery that encircles the room. Two70’s unparalleled technology, theatrical lighting and sound equipment create a completely enthralling evening. Housed in the ceiling are six robot arms controlling individual 100-inch LED TV screens that feature gorgeous video and imagery that can virtually jump from screen to screen.
The introductory announcement was anything but modest, and hopes were duly raised. Well, they were met and surpassed. The show was superb, the effects spectacular, energy levels high, and the venue a story in itself.
I finally got a close look at my stateroom, and no bed in the world could have felt softer than mine that night. I slept the ‘sleep of the blessed’.
The morning after the night before…!
For a traditionally non-breakfast freak I did rather well at Windjammer, tucked away on the 14th floor. Roughly the size of three tennis courts, the restaurant features superb sea views and an endless variety of international cuisine. The world was on display in the myriad counters – ‘American Favorities’; ‘On The Mediterranean’; International Flavours; ‘Farm Fresh’; ‘Thirst Quencher’; Lite Bites’… I swear I’d have tried them all but I had things to do and promises to keep.
So I did what I had to and duly attended the press meet, addressed by Royal Caribbean’s top brass. Obviously the ship and its latest, cutting – edge technology was the main focus, especially how it simplifies things. Innovations coming fast on cruise ships; technology enhancing guests’ experiences; special features like the immensely popular virtual balconies adding a new dimension to stateroom comfort; and innovative, awesome dining and entertainment inputs. The bottom line is that it is a giant leap that will change cruise travel…

I ascended to the top of the ship and the rewards were immediate and copious. Everywhere, as far as the eye could see, lay the ocean, a giant swathe of silvery white with waves flaking the surface. Thanks to the giant size of the ship, we could hardly feel we were moving at all but out there, clutching the railing, some twenty stories above the sea, I got a sense of the speed of our travel. We were cutting through the water with decisive precision. Deck chairs lined both sides of the decks, and were splayed out around the swimming pool.
They’d signed me in for something called a ‘Culinary Immersion Session’ to propagate what they call ‘dynamic dining’. Genial – natured that I am, I opted ‘in’ and realize it was the best decision I made on the cruise.
Dynamic Dining incorporates a special dining experience that creates a new level of hospitality. The restaurants feature personality; guests get something special with more ala carte dining; there’s attention to detail; technology is used to enhance guests’ experience and also to help the crew dish out more personalized service. The waiters take guests’ meal orders and stay on in the restaurant itself, using their note pads to inform the chefs of what’s required. It’s all a bit flaky, but effective enough.
Escorted by the company’s Vice President Cuisine, I did the rounds of the ship’s eateries – there are 18 restaurants and 7 bars – and got a taste of what the fuss is all about. The first stop on our gastronomy jaunt was Chic, which lives up to its name. Huge, classy and trendy, Chic means Chic. We moved on to the classic The Grande where we’d dined the previous night. Next in line was Silk, a Chinese restaurant that offers a more social atmosphere. For good measure, we visited the Galley, the heart of the ship, where the dishes are prepared. Name the cuisine, it is there. Now it was time for American Icon Grill, which provides a casual American experience. Jamie’s Italian offers authentic Italian food. Our stop at Vintages, the wine bar, lingers in my thoughts – thanks in main to the five hundred odd wines served within its haloed precincts. Michaels Genuine Pub was exactly what pubs are. Wonderland is something special – imaginative food, a lovely décor, and special textures and flavours make this a rather special eatery indeed. Izumi is a typical Japanese restaurant renowned for its sushi. Chops Grille is the signature steakhouse of Royal Caribbean. And then there is the Bionic Bar where robots create your cocktails, a method aptly called ‘maker – shaker’.
I could have done this forever, but duty called. It was show time again, and in less than 24 hours I found myself back in the technological wonderland that is Two70. In case you haven’t seen a performance of Mama Mia, get cracking and don’t miss out. The performance is superb, the mood generated electric, and Two70 took care of the rest.
Then came the bit I hate: the farewell dinner. Lonely wolf that I am, the word ‘farewell’ never goes down well with me. But I can’t say the same for dinner, that not only went down well, but almost ruined me by raising my ‘ever soaring’ expectations. Chic isn’t just a fine dining restaurant, it is a giant turf of culinary seduction. Try this for appetizers: ‘New Style Caesar Salad’; ‘Grilled Catalan Shrimp’; ‘Baby Lettuce Salad’; ‘Pastrami – Cured Salmon’… And the entrees list included ‘Potato – Crusted Iceland Cod’; ‘Grilled Lamb T-Bone’; ‘Slow Cooked Vegetable Cassoulet’; ‘Baked Salmon Strudel’; ‘Pan – Roasted Australian Barramundi’… The dessert department comprised ‘Carrot Cake Trifle’; ‘Dark Chocolate Torte’; ‘Plum Crepe Mille-Feuille’; and ‘Yogurt Panna Cotta’…
They had to literally drag me away at midnight.
Which isn’t that bad really, considering they had to literally drag me off the ship the next morning!

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